More Trouble for Iraq’s PM

Staff / Truthdig Apr 4, 2008 Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki faced a crisis last week when 1,000 to 1,500 of his troops, including from several dozen to more than 100 officers, refused to fight in the battle against Shiite militia members in Basra, raising questions about Iraqi security force readiness. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Consider Iraq Defined

Eugene Robinson / Truthdig Apr 1, 2008 Quite a "defining moment" in Iraq, wasn't it? At this rate, John McCain is going to be proved right: The war will last a century. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Iraqi Troops Step Up Fighting in Basra

Staff / Truthdig Mar 25, 2008 Iraqi forces on Tuesday launched an offensive targeting Shiite militia groups in the southern city of Basra, where at least 30 deaths are reported to have occurred in the operation, as well as in other regions of the country. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Cannibalism Charge at Hague Trial

Staff / Truthdig Mar 14, 2008 Gruesome details are emerging from the war crimes trial of Charles Taylor (above, right), the former president of Liberia. The leader of one of Taylor's death squads has testified that the president ordered his militias to cannibalize their enemies, including African and U.N. peacekeepers. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Calm Before the Conflagration

Chris Hedges / Truthdig Feb 25, 2008 There's an ugly secret behind the "success" of the surge: The United States is paying off Iraqi militants with weapons and cash. It's a recipe for disaster, one that reminds Chris Hedges of "Yugoslavia before the storm." Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

A British Reality Check on Progress In Iraq

Staff / Truthdig Dec 3, 2007 BBC: "The UK will hand over control of Basra to Iraqi forces despite failing in its goal to establish security there, an MPs' [members of Parliament] report says. The city is dominated by militias and the police contains 'murderous' and 'corrupt' elements, the report added." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

What Are We Fighting For?

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Nov 16, 2007 It's time that we subject the Iraq war to the same cost-benefit analysis that we are called upon to impose on other government endeavors. We are supposed to repeal or revise domestic programs that don't work. Shouldn't a troubled war policy be treated the same way? Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Darfur Town Razed, U.N. Says

Staff / Truthdig Oct 8, 2007 United Nations officials are reporting that the Darfur town of Haskanita has been "completely burned down, except for a few buildings." The Sudanese army and janjaweed militias are apparently behind the destruction of Haskanita, U.N. sources say. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Scahill on the Blackwater Backlash

Staff / Truthdig Sep 18, 2007 "Blackwater" author Jeremy Scahill sounds off on the security firm's recent rampage and the impunity of America's private militias. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sunni Leader Links Maliki to ‘Death Squads’

Staff / Truthdig Aug 13, 2007 Just as Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announced a renewed effort to restore unity to his government, the leader of the largest Sunni political group, Adnan al-Dulaimi, accused him of working with Iran to support sectarian violence against Sunnis. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Cabinet Reflects a Divided Iraq

Staff / Truthdig Aug 7, 2007 Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's "unity government" has lost its last Sunni representatives, as five ministers announced a boycott in protest of sectarian favoritism. Nearly half of the Cabinet has walked this year. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

American Troops Kill Six Iraqi Police Officers

Staff / Truthdig Jul 14, 2007 In a startling rejoinder to President Bush's rosy report of progress in Iraq, and the possibility of "success" in this war, whatever that means, six policemen were killed in a clash between U.S. troops and Iraqi police -- reflecting growing concerns about the infiltration of militants into Iraq's police force. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )